Siding structure



Aug. 1l, 1953 o. WAHLFELD SIDING STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov.24, 1948 Aug. 11, 1953 O. WAHLFELD SIDING STRUCTURE Filed NOV. 24, 19482 Sheets-Sheet 2 /fff' Patented Aug. 11, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE SIDIN G STRUCTURE Otto Wahlfeld, Peoria, Ill.

Application November 24, 1948, Serial No. 61,795

(Cl. 2li-'5) Claims.

This invention relates to siding for houses or 'the like and refers to anew siding structure wherein the common form of taperedwood siding isreplaced by a synthetic wood or wood substitute in thin flat sections.

It is common knowledge that clear high grade wood is increasingly hardto obtain and its cost is becoming prohibitive. This is particularlytrue of siding which requires a very high quality clear wood, and theneed for a new siding structure is, therefore, acute.

At the same time, thin flat substitutes are not acceptable as sidingbecause they change the general outward appearance from that obtained bythe shadow and line appearance created by the edgelift of tapered sidingand substituteL a ilat appearance that is not acceptable to theconventionally minded public.

Although I contemplate using a thin substitute wood siding in a formthat will simulate the outward appearance of conventional wood siding,it must be understood that lthis substitute structure must in all waysreplace in an equal or superior manner both the strength and appearanceof the conventional wood siding. As, for example, it must not be dentedby extraneous blows of any kind and the siding must maintain its iiatsiding appearance. It must easily resist the blows of a bouncing ballsuch as children sometimes play withr against a wall siding and in allother ways it must beequal to the conventional wood siding. l

In wood substitutes such as plastic bound pressed wood, such as the wellknown Masonite and similar thin synthetic boards of relatively highcost, it will be appreciated that the economic use of this high costmaterial requires that a large percentage of the board must be used asexposed siding adequately sealed and a minimum of the board should beused for lapping as in conventional structures.

I propose to use a wide variety of wood substitutes employing naturaland synthetic resins including the synthetic rubber group of suchresins. Naturally, in orderv to reduce the cost of the synthetic board Iwill employ llers which will encompass a wide variety of llermaterials'. Almost all iibrous materials may be employed, including woodlibre, straw, corn stalks, bagasse, asbestos, cotton linters and soforth. The fill- 'ers may also include mineral llers such as magnesiumcalcined gypsum and other similar minerals commonly used in plasterboards and the like. p

Y It will be well understoodand appreciated that thin plastic boundsynthetic wood substitute boards such as I contemplate using will nottake nails easily and permit erection like conventional wood siding. Thecorollary fact is that adequate, effective and rapid nailing or otherpractical fastening means must be employed.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a structureto employ relatively thin wood-substitute boards that will simulate theappearance of conventional wood siding.

Another object is to provide a siding structure employing thinsubstitute boards wherein the face of the boards are largely exposed byutilizing a minimum of sealing lap.

Another object is to provide a siding structure wherein the accuracy ofalignment of the siding is controlled by the lap structure.

A still further object is to provide a siding structure utilizing woodsubstitute boards wherein the siding may be erected with a minimum ofcost and labor.

Other objects and benets will be disclosed in the following descriptionsand drawings ln which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective elevational view partly f in cross section of mysiding applied to the side wall of a house or the like, employing a llerstrip for nailing butt joints, as will later be explained;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section elevational view of thesiding structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of another formof my siding structure employing a metal lift with a concealed nailthrough the underlap section of the siding;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of another formof siding structure with a concealed nail through the metal lift onlyand employing the serrated lanced device which will later be explained;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section elevational view of another form ofsiding structure employing a lanced retaining device through a saw cutin the lower section of the siding as will laterbe explained;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the metal lift employed in the sidingstructure shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a, perspective View of the metal lift employed in thestructure shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is a similar perspective view of the metal lift structure shownin Fig. 5. y

N ow referring to the drawings and at the outset to Fig. 1, I show `mysiding structure applied to the siding of a house structure wherein Arepresents conventional studding like 2 x 4s, B repre;

sents the outside wood sheathing (or insulating boards which requirenailing into the studding) and C represents the insulating paper coverapplied in the usual manner. The substitute siding for buildingconstruction of the present invention comprises a plurality of sidingmembers I0 with each siding having a. wood molding II secured theretoand arranged for nailing to the wall sheathing of a. building. Themolding I| is secured to the individual siding members IS along thelower edges thereof, and each molding piece I I has an inner offset I Iawhich will face the side of the building and which will provide means toaccurately align each successive siding strip upon the previous sidingstrip that has already been secured to the building sheathing. As bestillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper siding members are designated as|0u, while the lower side strips are designated as |01, and as best seenin Fig. 2, each adjacent joining structure of the. successive sidings I0are secured at the molding line II by means of nails I2 as indicated inFig. l. With the offset IIa., a minimum of lap of the siding members I0may be secured since the offset IIa can be of such a depth to secure apredetermined overlap between the side strips Illu and IZ, and themolding I acts as a vertical spacing and supporting member to secure theproper overlap by acting as a templet which also establishes the properhorizontal alignment of the respective siding strips I.

Now referring to Fig. 2, I desire to explain that my molding member isnormally fastened to the edge Ill-u of the siding member I0 by nails I3which naturally would be machine driven. As an Optional structure, I mayprefer to fasten the molding on the edge It-u of the siding by gluing orin some instances I may prefer to stitch the members together by theconventional Bostitch stitching method Well understood in the art.Howeverl it will b e understood and appreciated that the molding memberI I provides an adequate support that is secured accurately in place onthe siding section III-u and that to all intents and purposes this is apieces I0 and II. I have heretofore explained that it is very dimcult tonail through some thin synthetic wood, substitute siding, and I,therefore, mail desire to. have spaced holes |4 drilled through the'siding I0 and the molding I I in order to provde a. Well supportednailing structure that will permit nails I2 as shown in Fig. I to bedriven securely in place through the hole I4 and through the upper endof the sidingl section I-Z. Al-

though it may not. be necessary in most combinal tions 0I syntheticsiding, the hole I4 facilitates nailing and supports the nail throughthe driving operation when it is driven through the siding sectionvIO-Z' and into the sheeting B.

Again referring to Fig. I, I show a perspective view of the structureshown in Fig. 2 which well explains the location of the holes I4 and thenail elements I3 to provide a unitary structure as here,- toforedescribed. I also desire to call attention to the butt siding jointshown in Fig. l; under the butt. j oint I' insert a wedge D to which thebutt ends of the siding are securely nailed. This not only supports thesidingbut effectively seals the openings under the siding. I also desireto ex*- plain that I use metal corner covers to protect the edge jointsin the conventional manner.

Now referring to Fig. 3, I show another form of siding structurewherein. I employ a.` sheet metal supporting molding |18.; This moldingI8 may be made of aluminum or steel and a relatively thin unitarystructure of the two section will suffice to provide optimum strength.In the edge of the siding section I0u I have inserted a narrow saw cutI6 to t the extending leg I1 of the molding I8 as shown. 'I'hus the sidesection |0-u is securely carried in proper vertical relationship to theadjacent lower siding section and when it is observed that the upper endof section III-Z is secured as shown in the drawing, it will beappreciated that the molding I8 securely fastens the siding sectionstogether. Molding I8 is applied by the inner angle section I9 of themolding I8 and the nail 2| through hole 20 as shown. It will beappreciated that this nail may be rather short and stiff and thereforeit facilitates sturdy nailing of the siding member I-Z to the sheating.It will be appreciated that when this nailing operation is performed,the upper siding section III-u will not have been in place and,therefore, the nail 2| is exposed to convenient and effective nailing.It will also be observed that after the upper siding section IB-u is setinto place by means of the slot I6 engaging the supporting section I'!that the nail is entirelyconcealed and that, therefore, the thin woodsubstitute siding sections are free and clear of all exposed nails andfastenings.

Fig. 6 clearly shows the relationship of the holes 28 for the nails 2|which are here clearly exposed to view with both siding sectionsremoved.

Now referring to Fig. 4, this structure is' like the structure describedin Fig. 3. We have the edge slot IS in the upper siding section I-u withan angle flange I1 inserted therein for support. However, the lowerretaining section I9 of the molding vIII has an offset nailing tab 22 onits end. By inserting the nail 24 through the hole 23 in the nailing tab22, the section I9 can be securely driven down against the lower sidingsection Iii-Z as will be well understood by consideration of Fig. 4.However, in order to better secure the lower side section III-Z inplace, I have provided a sharp lanced or struck out deformation 25 hav-ving inwardly extending teeth as clearly shown in Fig. 4. When the nail24 is secured in place, the teeth in the lanced hole 25 will bite intothe siding section III-Z to more securely fasten it in position.However, it will be understood that when the molding I8 is nailed inplace, the siding sections IU are secured between the saw cut IIIsupported on the angle flange I'T and they angle support 22 on themolding I8. In Fig. 4 I show the relationship between they holes 23. andthe nails 2.4 and the lanced holding device 25. It willbe appreciatedthat after the structure is in place, a hammer blow above the teeth ofthe lanced openingl 25 will drive the teeth. into the Section Ill-J, ofthe siding to better secure its parts. in xed relationship.

Now. referring to Fig. 5 I'show a structure similar to that shown inFig., 4,. except that along the loweredge o the. siding IJ-l I haveinserted a saw cut 2,1. and in the adjacent section I9 of the molding I8I have struck outa, retainer flange 26 which *isv inserted in the cut 21as clearly shown inFigs. 5 and 8. As will be well understood andappreciated.. the angle. 'flange '25 in the section III of the, moldingI8 willjsecure. the lower edge of the. thin siding Ie-Z in place.. Itwill also be.r observed that` the nail 24 through the hole ,23. in thenailingtah 21 isA entirely exposedy during the. nailing operation but iscompletely consealed when the siding, section I-u. is plagen on theflange I1 in the slot I6 as shown.

.From the; above drawings and description it willl be appreciated thatlhave provideda d- Ying structure employing thinrat wood substitutesiding that is economical, sturdy and has long life. It simulates theoutward appearance of wood siding and can be applied with conventionaltools by carpenters in the somewhatrconventional and a molding tosupport and space each sucvcessive siding piece in a given relation withrespect to an adjacent attached piece, said molding comprising a steppedsection to vengage over the attached siding piece with a surface portionthereof in coplanar contact witlrthe face ofv the siding piece, asupport section for connection with the next successive siding piece,and struck out deformations in said surface portion of said steppedsection of the molding for holding said molding in place upon saidattached siding piece while nailing said molding to said sheathing. l

2.`A siding structure for attachment to the sheathing of a wallcomprising siding pieces having saw cuts in the surface thereof, and amoldp ing to support each successive siding piece in predeterminedrelation to the adjacent sidingpiece fastened to the sheathing, saidmolding comprising a stepped section to engage over the fastened sidingpiece with a portion thereof against the face of said siding piece, saidportion having flanges to engage into the saw cuts of said fastenedsiding piece, and said molding having a supporting section to connectwith the next successive siding piece to support the latter in a givenrelation with respect to the fastened siding piece.

3. A siding structure comprising a length of face board, and a moldingsecured along one edge thereof, said molding comprising a continuousblock having a longitudinal offset therein, said block providing meansto position adjacent face boards in predetermined face to face spacedrelationship with respect to each other, and said block offset providingmeans to receive the adjacent edge of the next face board in nestedposition therein and to position said face boards in predeterminedvertically overlapping relationship with respect to each other.

4. A siding structure comprising a length of face board for attachmentwith a siding receiving wall, and a molding bodily securedlongitudinally upon one surface of said face board and along oneterminal edge thereof, said molding comprising a continuous block havinga longitudinal offset therein, the full thickness of said block servingto space the attached end of said face board a given distance from asiding receiving wall, and said block recess providing clearance meansto hook over the edge of an adjacent face board carried by saidreceiving surface to thereby establish a given vertical overlappingrelationship between adjacent edges ci' the face boards mounted upon thesiding receiving wall. v

5. A siding structure comprising a length of face board, and a moldingsecured along one side thereof, said molding comprising a continuousblock having a longitudinal offset therein, said block providing meansto arrange adjacent face boards in predetermined face to face andvertical spaced relationship, said block offset com'- prisingmeans toreceive the edge portion `of an adjacent one of said face boards inlongitudinally nested position within said block offset, and said blockand connected face board having prelocated nail holes extendingtherethrough kfromthe surface of said face board to said offset in saidblock. .l

6. A siding structure comprising a structural unit, a face board, and amolding connected with a predetermined portion of said board, saidmolding comprising a spacer having opposite wall portions thereofsecured to said board and abutting the structural unit respectively, an.undercut in said spacer at the side adjacent the structural .unitengaging portion of said spacer which un- -dercut is of a width andAdepth to provide gauge means to bodily mount said spacer in apredetermined vertical overlapping relationship with `respect to a lowerand prior attached face board and to support the connected succeedingface board upon the former, and said spacer having a lower terminal wallthereon positioned and arranged to` extend flush from the adjacent faceboard edge and to the undercut portionV of the kspacer to terminate nextto the adjacent exposed surface of the prior attached face board, saidspacer and theundercut gauge means portion thereof comprisingcooperative means to determine the vertical overlap of adjacent faceboards with respect to each other and to the spacer',v and fasteningmeans to directly join the overlapping portions of said face boardstogether through said spacer and directly to said structural unit. I

"1. A siding structure comprising a supporting wall, and a plurality offace boards arranged in overlapping courses, one above the other, eachof said face boards comprising a panel, and means carried along one edgeof said panel to tilt each panel at a given angle in relation to saidsupporting wall and to position adjacent panel ends in predeterminedoverlapping relation with respect to each other, said means comprising amolding connected with said one edge of the wall facing surface portionof said panel and arranged for bodily contact with said supporting wallto space the connected panel outwardly from said wall, with the otheropposite edge of said panel having direct contact with said supportingwall, and said molding having a recess therein formed to a givenvertical depth and arranged for snug engagement with the next succeedingupper edge portion of the adjacent lower panel to position the moldingattached end of the upper panel in a given vertical overlapping relationwith respect to said lower panel.

8. A siding structure comprising a supporting wall, and a plurality offace boards arranged in overlapping courses one above the other, each ofsaid face boards comprising a panel, and block means carried along oneedge of said panel to tilt each panel at a given angle in relation tosaid supporting Wall and to position adjacent panel ends inpredetermined overlapping relation with respect to each other, saidmeans comprising a molding block connected with said one edge of theWall facing surface portion of said panel and arranged for bodilycontact with said supporting wall to space the connected panel outwardlyfrom said wall, with the other opposite edge of said panel having directcontact with said supporting wall, and said molding block having arecess therein formed along the lower outer corner portion of the blockopening outwardly toward the wall engaging side of said block andthrough the bottom surface of the block, said corner recess providingmeans to snugly receive the next succeeding upper edge portion of theadjacent lower panel to position the molding attached end of the upperpanel in a given vertical overlapping relation with respect to saidlower panel.

9. A siding structure comprising a supporting wall, and a plurality offace boards arranged in overlapping courses one above the other. each ofsaid face boards comprising a panel, and means carried along one edge ofsaid panel to tilt each panel at a given angle in relation to saidsupporting wall and to position adjacent panel ends in predeterminedoverlapping relation with respect to each other, said means comprising amolding connected with said one edge of the wall facing surface portionof said panel and arranged for bodily contact with said supporting wallto space the connected panel outwardly from said wall, with the otheropposite edge of said panel having direct contact with said supportingwall, and said molding having a recess therein formed to a givenvertical depth and arranged for snug engagement with the next succeedingupper edge portion of the adjacent lower panel to position the moldingattached end of the upper panel in a given vertical overlapping relationwith respect to said lower panel, said molding having the bottom surfaceportion thereof extending contiguous with the lower edge of saidconnected panel and terminating at said recess to meet the surface ofsaid lower panel.

10. A siding structure comprising a supporting wall, a face board, and amolding connected with a' predetermined portionf of said board, saidVmolding comprising a spacer having opposite spectively, an undercut insaid spacer in Ythe side portion disposed in abutting contact with thesupporting wall engaging portion of said spacer, said spacer undercutbeing constructed of a width and depth to provide gauge means to bodilymount said spacer in a predetermined vertical overlapping relationshipwith respect to a lower and prior attached face board secured to saidsupporting wall to support the connected succeeding face board thereon,and said spacer having a lower terminal surface portion thereonpositioned and arranged to extend in contiguous flush relation from theadjacent face board edge and to the undercut portion of the spacer toterminate at the adjacent exposed surface of the lower attached faceboard.

OTTO WAHLFELD.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,216,271 Joiner Oct. l, 1940 2,276,170. Elxnendorf Mar. 10,1942 2,292,984 Alvarez Aug. l1, 1942 2,361,450 Black Oct. 31, 19442,467,637 Strohm Apr. 19, 1949

